4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $101. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 49m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.9 - 2.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $101, and a train costs an average of $131.
Distance: 1853 miles (2983 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$447 Average price | $257 Average price Cheapest | $365 Average price | $444 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
54h 30m Average total duration 54h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 49m Average total duration Fastest 4h 49m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 54h 14m Average total duration 53h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 30h 53m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.9 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.9 - 17.9kg CO2 emissions | 3.0 - 7.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |  Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL:
A flight is $108 (€89) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $365 (€300).
A flight is $190 (€156) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $447 (€368).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 53h 44m.
Train takes on average 54h 0m.
Travel optionsfrom San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
How to get from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL is by taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
UA227810:38 PM4h23San Francisco International Airport5:01 AMO'Hare International Airport$3821One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- UA227810:38 PM4h23San Francisco International Airport5:01 AMO'Hare International Airport$3821One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- AA255411:07 PM4h13San Francisco International Airport5:20 AMO'Hare International Airport$4231One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 6624 AMTRAK · 6 California Zephyr7:00 AM53h39San Francisco, CA2:39 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$5181One-way1 transfer
- 4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific Surfliner · 4 Southwest Chief10:35 PM62h54San Francisco, CA3:29 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$15191One-way2 transfers
- 5014 AMTRAK · 14 Coast Starlight · 28 Empire Builder8:50 PM65h55San Francisco, CA4:45 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$34481One-way2 transfers
FlixBus+ · · 7:30 AM54h55San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA4:25 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$4571One-way3 transfers- · · 1:30 PM48h55San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 294:25 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$4671One-way2 transfers
- · · · 10:30 PM79h30San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 298:00 AMChicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL$5061One-way3 transfers
- UA185012:50 AM4h26San Francisco International Airport7:16 AMO'Hare International Airport$3821One-way0 transfers
- UA36811:30 PM4h27San Francisco International Airport5:57 AMO'Hare International Airport$3821One-way0 transfers
- UA24803:10 PM4h28San Francisco International Airport9:38 PMO'Hare International Airport$3821One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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FAQs: Travel from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
Travel to Chicago, IL easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL.
This is compared to other travel options from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL:
A flight is $108 (€89) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $365 (€300).
A flight is $190 (€156) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $447 (€368).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 53h 44m.
Train takes on average 54h 0m.
- Around 73 flights per day.
- Around 9 buses per day.
- Around 5 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between San Francisco, CA and Chicago, IL as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from San Francisco International Airport and arrive in O'Hare International Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA and arrive in Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL.
- Buses mostly depart from San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 and arrive in Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Chicago, IL by train.
- Travel with Greyhound to go to Chicago, IL by bus.
- Travel with American Airlines, United, Alaska Airlines, frontier airlines to go to Chicago, IL by flight.
- 12 direct flights per day with American Airlines, United.
Travelling from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL: related information
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